Jersey birds placed under lockdown to stop avian flu from spreading

Jersey's government has ordered birdkeepers to keep their animals on 'flockdown' Credit: PA Images

Birdkeepers across Jersey have been told to house their animals to prevent the spread of avian flu.

A new island-wide prevention zone comes into force on Wednesday 7 September, following increasing numbers of dead or sick birds.

A 3km 'protection zone' was previously enforced in the west of Jersey, which is now being expanded to the whole island.

The new rules mean all bird enclosures have to be completely covered with a 'solid or impermeable roof' that prevents contaminated faeces from wild birds from landing within the area.

Food and water should also be kept away from perimeter fencing, with disinfectant foot dips at any entrances and exits.

Jersey's Environment Minister, Deputy Jonathan Renouf, said new measures are needed to prevent the spread of bird flu:

“The virus is causing mass mortalities and suffering in flocks, and we must now step-up measures island-wide to protect both the birds and the livelihoods of commercial farmers.

"Making housing mandatory for all flocks, regardless of where they are or the size of the flock, is not a decision we have taken lightly. However, bird flu has the potential to wipe out huge numbers of birds so we must act now to do everything we can to minimise the risks of infection. The key is keeping poultry away from contact with wild birds.

"I urge all keepers to follow the restrictions, to house their birds, and to continue to follow good biosecurity measures to help us ensure the situation doesn’t further escalate."

Anyone who discovers sick or dead birds in Jersey is asked to call the Natural Environment team on 01534 441600.

Bird Flu: Your Questions Answered

What is bird flu?

Avian flu is highly infectious and mainly affects birds, although in very rare cases it can transfer to humans and other animals.

The virus is spread through bodily fluids such as saliva and droppings.

It is often passed on by wild birds that migrate from Europe during winter and can be very dangerous for poultry and domestic birds.

How is it spread?

Birds can be infected with the avian influenza virus through contact with infected saliva, nasal secretions or faeces.

Wild birds including waterfowl are often more resistant to avian influenza than domestic birds and can carry and transmit the virus without showing evidence of disease.

Everyone, at all times but especially now, should take care to maintain good hygiene when feeding garden birds – regularly cleaning feeders outside with mild disinfectant, removing old bird-food, spacing-out feeders as much as possible and washing your hands.  

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What risk is there to humans?

There is a very low risk of humans catching bird flu.

It usually requires close and regular contact with an infected bird.

A man from South West England was infected in January 2022 but public health officials stressed the risk to the wider public remains very low.

More on the disease:

Bird flu, or avian flu, is an infectious type of influenza that spreads among birds. In rare cases, it can affect humans.

There are lots of different strains of bird flu virus.

Most of them don't infect humans, but there are 4 strains that have caused concern in recent years:

  • H5N1 (since 1997)

  • H7N9 (since 2013)

  • H5N6 (since 2014)

  • H5N8 (since 2016)

It is strain H5N1 that is currently spreading in the UK

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